Ensuring the Safety of Infant Formula
Preparing, storing, and reheating baby formula correctly is crucial to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your infant. Here are key guidelines to follow to minimise the risk of foodborne illness and maintain a nutritious feed for your baby.
Preparation
- Use freshly boiled water cooled to at least 70°C (158°F) when preparing the formula. Boiling water kills harmful bacteria in the powder [1][2].
- Avoid using old water from kettles or bottled mineral water directly without boiling, as it may contain impurities [1][3].
- Measure and mix the powder and water accurately according to the formula instructions, adding water before powder to the bottle [1].
- Do not add extra scoops of powder or other foods such as cereal to formula, as this may lead to constipation, dehydration, or choking hazards [1].
Storage
- Use prepared formula immediately or within two hours if kept at room temperature, or within one hour once feeding has started [1][2].
- If not used immediately, formula can be refrigerated but must be consumed within two hours after preparation and discarded if not consumed in that time [1].
- Never keep leftover formula beyond these time frames to reduce the risk of bacterial growth.
Reheating
- Do not reheat formula in a microwave as it can cause uneven heating and create dangerous hot spots that could burn the baby’s mouth [1].
- Instead, warm the bottle by placing it in warm water or using a bottle warmer, then test the temperature before feeding to ensure it is lukewarm and not hot [1].
Feeding Equipment Hygiene
- Always wash and sterilize bottles, nipples, and other feeding equipment before use to prevent contamination [1].
Additional Tips
- Do not store formula prepared in advance for later use; always make a fresh feed when your baby is hungry [1].
- If using alternative water sources in emergencies, ensure the water is boiled and safe as per guidelines [2][4].
By implementing these steps, you can reduce the risk of foodborne illness and ensure your baby’s formula is safe and nutritious [1][2][4].
- If advised by a doctor, boil water used with formula for at least five minutes before mixing.
- Freezing formula is not recommended.
- Refrigerated formula can be stored for up to 2 days.
- Fill each bottle with formula for just one feeding.
- Write the date on the bottle before storing to help remember.
- Formula should be kept between 35-40°F until ready for use.
- Test the formula before feeding it to your baby to ensure it's not too hot.
- Wash all bottle items (bottles, nipples, covers, can openers, etc.) in hot, soapy water and let air dry.
- Formula left outside the refrigerator or a cold cooler for more than 2 hours should be discarded.
- Adhering to science-backed health-and-wellness practices, such as utilizing freshly boiled water for formula preparation, ensures food safety for both the baby and family.
- In maintaining family health, proper storage of prepared formula is key, with immediate consumption, refrigeration within two hours, and disposal of leftovers after said time frame crucial to prevent bacterial growth.
- Encouraging good nutrition and fitness-and-exercise in the future, parents should avoid adding extra solids to formula during infant feeding, thus minimizing risks of health issues associated with constipation, dehydration, and choking.
